Counter-Narcotics Operations Lead

Job Title: Counter-Narcotics Operations Lead

Job Category: Project and Program Management

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25%

Type of Travel: Continental US

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The Opportunity:
The Counter-Narcotics Operations Lead provides dedicated operational, strategic, and programmatic leadership supporting the USCENTCOM J3 Interagency Action Group (JIAG). In this role, you will lead efforts to integrate DoD capabilities with interagency partners—including law enforcement, intelligence community (IC) agencies, and diplomatic missions—to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat illicit narcotics networks and associated transnational threat finance in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).

The selected candidate will oversee operational planning, interagency synchronization, resource tracking, and mission-execution milestones. This position requires deep familiarity with joint staff processes, DoD counter-narcotics (CN) funding and authorities, and interagency collaboration across federal law enforcement and foreign partner environments.


Responsibilities:
Program Management & Operational Oversight

• Serve as the primary contractor lead and interface to the CENTCOM J3 JIAG leadership, ensuring seamless alignment of program objectives with operational requirements.
• Monitor, track, and manage all task orders, deliverables, operational timelines, and mission milestones related to counter-narcotics and counter-transnational organized crime (CN/TOC) initiatives.
• Identify operational risks, develop mitigation strategies, and recommend resource allocations to optimize mission effectiveness across the CENTCOM AOR.
• Prepare, review, and present executive briefings, operational summaries, decision memorandums, and quarterly program reviews (QPRs) for general officers, flag officers, and senior civilian leadership.

Counter-Narcotics & Interagency Coordination

• Coordinate and synchronize operational planning and intelligence-led initiatives between CENTCOM directorates (J2, J3, J5, J8) and interagency partners (DEA, FBI, HSI, Department of State/INL, Treasury/OFAC, and JIATF-W/JIATF-S).
• Facilitate information sharing, operational debriefs, and threat-network targeting synchronization across interagency working groups, operational planning teams (OPTs), and foreign partner liaisons.
• Provide subject matter expertise on DoD counter-narcotics authorities (e.g., Title 10 USC, Section 333 / Section 284 authorities) and interagency standard operating procedures.
• Monitor emerging narcotics trafficking patterns, precursor chemical diversion, and related illicit threat finance networks within Central/South Asia, the Middle East, and maritime transit routes in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

Mission Support & Administrative Integration

• Oversee program-level administrative workflows, classified document handling, and operational scheduling within sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs).
• Coordinate logistics, partner nation engagement visits, interagency conferences, and multilateral working group sessions.
• Ensure full compliance with DoD security guidelines, classification markings, OPSEC regulations, and interagency information-handling caveats.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in International Relations, National Security Studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of professional experience in program/project management, military operations, defense intelligence, or federal law enforcement.
• At least three (3) to five (5) years directly supporting counter-narcotics (CN), counter-threat finance (CTF), transnational organized crime (TOC), or interagency operations within a Combatant Command (CCMD), Joint Task Force (JTF), or federal agency (e.g., DEA, FBI, HSI, State INL).
• Demonstrated experience working inside a Joint Staff environment (e.g., J3, J2, or J5) and drafting executive-level operational briefings.
• Willingness and ability to pass a Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph examination if required by command directive.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex cross-functional initiatives across disparate organizations with differing cultures and statutory authorities.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills; proficiency in condensing complex intelligence and operational data into clear executive summaries.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, and military command-and-control / portal systems.
• High discretion, sound judgment, and rigorous adherence to operational security protocols.

Desired:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline; or a combination of extensive operational military/interagency experience and specialized training.
• Prior operational familiarity with the USCENTCOM AOR and its key transit routes and illicit threat networks.
• Experience with DoD counter-narcotics funding cycles, building partner capacity (BPC) programs, or Foreign Military Sales (FMS)/Drawdowns.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Program Management Level II/III.
• Joint Staff or Service Staff Officer course completion.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Work is conducted primarily in a fast-paced SCIF/headquarters office setting at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL.
• Periodic shift work or irregular hours may be required based on real-time operational surges and contingency requirements.

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What You Can Expect:

 A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range:

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$78,000 - $163,800